Healthy Chicken Broccoli Casserole | Dairy Free Options

Last Updated on November 1, 2023 by Amanda Brooks

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Ooey, gooey….golden colored cheesy goodness waiting to be devoured. That my friends is the memory of sitting down to nearly every casserole of my childhood.

They still spell comfort to me and I’ve yet to meet a casserole I don’t adore.

Unfortunately dairy free casseroles that had the same texture and felt like childhood favorites were hard to find. Until I put this bad boy together!

Healthy Chicken Broccoli Casserole

The cheesy bug was hitting me hard this week and I NEEDED a solution.

I’ve tried using nutritional yeast as a natural dairy free option.

It works in some cases, but not all, which is why I was open to trying new vegan cheese for a dairy free chicken casserole. Turns out that it was surprisingly easy, tasty and helped keep me feeling good. Healthy Chicken Broccoli Casserole

I remember my mom making chicken broccoli casserole all the time as a kid, but in truth I knew that if I made it now…my stomach would be so angry with all the dairy and the unhealthy fats.

This is a SUPER EASY, one of my main requirements, healthified version of a classic. It’s filling without being heavy.

A bonus is this gluten free broccoli casserole is also perfect for other allergies and my favorite thing…sneaking in veggies!!

Because they’re surrounded by gooeyness and flavor, I find even picky eaters happily down their veggies.

Print Recipe

Healthy Chicken Broccoli Casserole

You can make this with regular cheese as well, but this non-dairy version is fantastic and another way to keep making your dinners a little healthier!

Prep Time5

Cook Time1 10

Total Time1 15

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Dairy Free

Keyword: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthy

Servings: 2

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked quinoa
5 cups chicken stock
2 chicken breasts
3 cups broccoli
4 cups Spinach
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1-2 tbsp EVOO
Garlic
Salt
Pepper
1/2 cup Mozzarella Shreds

Instructions

Place chicken on baking sheet in oven at 375 (40 minutes)
Meanwhile start cooking your quinoa in chicken broth (about 10 minutes)
Heat second pan, add 2 tbsp EVOO and garlic
As garlic starts to sizzle add 1 cup chicken stock and veggies
Cover to lightly steam broccoli and carrots lightly (5 minutes)
Combine with quinoa
Add garlic powder, minced garlic, and a dash of salt
Spray a large glass cooking pan with nonstick cooking spray
Mix {lightly) diced chicken, quinoa/veggie mix, spinach, carrots,GO Veggie! shreds
Pour in to dish
Place dish in oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes

Time Saver:

If you want to cut steps, you can buy a rotisserie chicken and frozen veggies, which can just be tossed straight in to the quinoa to bake.

Or many people will dump and cook it all together…I am just really cautious about making sure my chicken is well cooked!

Cheese Notes:

This dairy free casserole required a little experimentation because we know the cheese doesn’t cook the same. I tried making this dish two ways, one with the cheese only added for the last 10 minutes and one where I stirred in the cheese.

Personally, I like the cheese stirred in to give me that ooey, gooey feeling I remember from childhood! Maybe a little too much like childhood as I could not stop eating.